Rhythm

Ortiz Cofer wrote "The Latin Deli: An Ars Poetica" in free verse, which varies line length and does not have an established meter. The poetic line becomes its basic rhythmic unit. Line breaks highlight important words in the poem. In "The Latin Deli" Ortiz Cofer frequently ends her lines with words that help convey the poem's themes. For example she ends lines 3-6 with "bins," "plantains" and "offerings," which reinforces the importance for the immigrants of the deli's Spanish food and the deli owner's position as "patroness," providing solace through food. Lines 18 and 19 end with "comfort" and "portrait," illustrating how the deli helps the customers reestablish comforting connections with their heritage.

Sound

Repetition of sounds in a poem can also emphasize key words and images and so create poetic structure. In addition, sounds can provide pleasure. Ortiz Cofer uses alliteration, the repetition of initial consonant sounds, in lines...